Movie Reviews

Turning the Recording Into an Experience

Mitchell Kokai | Raleigh, NC USA | 11/29/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you're familiar with Tift Merritt's "Tambourine," you might not feel the need to experience the Austin City Limits concert on DVD. It's a re-packaging of the same songs, right? Wrong. "Tambourine" had the advantage of top-notch session musicians, but this performance benefits from the presence of Merritt's regular touring band. By the time they hit this gig, Tift and crew had worked these songs into fighting form. It's a must-own concert recording for fans who've never had the pleasure of seeing a live Tift Merritt show."

Fresh

Lance M. Andrewes | Wellington, New Zealand | 01/23/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first encountered Tift Merritt's music while visiting the US, and instantly loved it. Same with this DVD. Technically, the recording is excellent. Fresh, crisp audio and video. Well above par for a concert DVD. The performance is also great. Having never seen her perform, it was at first a surprise to see how much personality she had on stage. Quite a rocker. This is fun to watch. I've many music discs with music I enjoy very much, but I think two words sum up what special about this one - fresh and fun. Even better is that coming here to post my comments I see a new CD is out in February 08!"

The Tambourine band in top form on Austin City Limits

Phillip F. Reid | Wilmington NC | 11/29/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Tift's fans know that her critically-acclaimed studio albums are just a start; to really get the full wow you have to see her live, and for even more wow, live with her righteous band. When this was recorded in October 2005, the Tambourine band had put in the miles and the shows to get this set nailed, without losing their enthusiasm for what they were playing. The audience takes a while to get into it here, but that too was frequently typical on this tour, where older audiences would be drawn in to a show that rocked harder than they expected it to, and it would be up to the band to get them off their feet--a goal they worked hard to accomplish and almost always did."